e refused,
looking confused and uneasy the while. He understood now the reason
why.

He took a chair by her side; the folio lay upon a table placed in a
large room, lighted by a silver lamp. They were as much alone there as
though they had been in another room. She took out a drawing, and laid
it before him. He neither saw it nor heard what she remarked.

"Lillian," he said, suddenly, "if you were asked what was the most
deadly sin a woman could commit, what should you reply?"

"That is a strange question," she answered. "I do not know, Lionel. I
think I hate all sin alike."

"Then I will tell you," he said bitterly; "it is false, foul
deceit--black, heartless treachery."

She looked up in amazement at his angry tone; then there was for some
moments unbroken silence.

"I can not see the drawings," he said; "take them away. Lillian Earle,
raise your eyes to mine; look me straight in the face. How long is it
since I asked you to be my wife?"

Her gentle eyes never wavered, they were fixed half in wonder on his,
but at his question the faint flush on her cheeks grew deeper.

"Not very long," she replied; "a few days."

"You said you loved me," he continued.

"I do," she said.

"Now, answer me again. Have you ever loved or cared for any one else,
as you say you do for me?"

"Never," was the quiet reply.

"Pray pardon the question--have you received the attentions of any
lover before receiving mine?"

"Certainly not," she said, wondering still more.

"I have all your affection, your confidence, your trust; you have never
duped or deceived me; you have been open, truthful, and honest with me?"

"You forget yourself, Lionel," she said, with gentle dignity; "you
should not use such words to me."

"Answer!" he returned. "You have to do with a desperate man. Have you
deceived me?"

"Never," she replied, "In thought, word, or deed."

"Merciful Heaven!" he cried. "That one can be so fair and so false!"

There was nothing but wonder in the face that was raised to his.

"Lillian," he said, "I have loved you as the ideal of all that was pure
and noble in woman. In you I saw everything good and holy. May Heaven
pardon you that my faith has died a violent death."

"I can not understand you," she said, slowly. "Why do you speak to me
so?"

"I will use plainer words," he replied--"so plain that you can not
mistake them. I, your betrothed husband, the man you love and trust,
ask you, Lillian Earl